Hillsborough, New Jersey

Start here: Somerset County Office on Aging & Disability Services — 908-704-6346

• A single free call connects Hillsborough-area seniors and family caregivers to benefits counseling, in-home care, nutrition programs, transportation, and referrals across every category in this guide.

Federal Nutrition: How to apply for SNAP and CSFP in state

Two federal programs put food and grocery dollars directly in seniors' hands: SNAP (food benefits loaded onto an EBT card you use like a debit card) and CSFP (a free monthly box of shelf-stable foods for adults 60+). Both are administered by the State of New Jersey and both are worth applying for even if you're unsure you'll qualify — income limits are higher than most people expect.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

SNAP provides a monthly EBT card seniors use like a debit card for groceries. New Jersey residents 60 and older, including those on a fixed income or Social Security, can qualify — households with an elderly (60+) or disabled member get a higher asset limit and can deduct out-of-pocket medical expenses, which often increases the benefit amount.

• Apply online: Create an account and apply through MyNJHelps.gov (takes about 20–45 minutes) MyNJHelps.gov ↗
• Check eligibility first (optional): NJHelps.gov offers a short pre-screening tool (5–10 minutes) before you apply NJHelps.gov ↗
• Apply in person, by mail, or fax: Download a paper application and submit it to the Somerset County Board of Social Services nj.gov/humanservices/njsnap ↗
• Somerset County Board of Social Services: 73 East High St., Somerville, NJ 08876 — (908) 526-8800 — can process SNAP applications and answer questions
• Help for seniors and people with disabilities: A friend or family member (an "authorized representative") can submit the application on your behalf, online or in person
• Free application help: SNAP Navigators at community organizations across New Jersey help with eligibility questions and applications at no cost — you should never be asked to pay for this help cfbnj.org ↗
• What you'll need: Photo ID, Social Security numbers for household members, proof of income (Social Security/pension award letters), proof of residency, and housing/utility costs

SNAP income and asset limits are adjusted annually — a benefits counselor at the Somerset County Office on Aging can give you the current figures and estimate what you'd receive before you apply.

CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program)

CSFP is a separate USDA program specifically for adults 60 and older (no SNAP application required, though you can receive both). Once a month, participants pick up a free box of foods such as cheese, milk, juice, cereal, rice, pasta, peanut butter, canned proteins, fruits, and vegetables.

• Eligibility: Age 60+, New Jersey resident, and income at or below CSFP guidelines; automatically income-eligible if you already receive SNAP, SSI, LISP, or Medicare Savings Program benefits
• What you'll need to apply: Proof of identity, age, residency, and income (unless adjunctively eligible through another program)
• Find your local CSFP food bank: New Jersey Department of Health maintains a current list of CSFP distribution agencies by county nj.gov/health ↗
• Help finding a local site: The Somerset County Office on Aging & Disability Services can confirm the current CSFP distribution site serving Hillsborough — (908) 704-6346 somersetcountynj.gov ↗

CSFP has limited funding and can have a waiting list in some areas — the Office on Aging or dialing 2-1-1 can also help confirm current availability.

State and Local Nutrition: Local meals on wheels, food pantries, community meals, etc.

Senior Wellness Center Meals & Home-Delivered Meals

Somerset County operates six Senior Wellness Centers, including one right in Hillsborough, each serving a nutritionally balanced lunch on weekdays. The county's Office on Aging also coordinates home-delivered meals for homebound seniors.

• Senior Wellness Center at Hillsborough — Lunch Program: 339 South Branch Rd., Hillsborough, NJ 08844 — (908) 369-8700 — Mon–Fri, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; lunch served daily with a suggested $2.50 donation for ages 60+ (advance reservation by 10:00 a.m. the prior business day) somersetcountynj.gov ↗
• Home-delivered meals: Contact the Somerset County Office on Aging & Disability Services to arrange home-delivered meals for homebound seniors — (908) 704-6346 somersetcountynj.gov ↗

Food Pantries in Hillsborough

Free groceries and pantry staples — no SNAP enrollment required. Hours change seasonally, so call before visiting.

• Feeding Hands — Main Pantry: 186 Route 206, Hillsborough, NJ 08844 — (908) 397-6452 — Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and 6:30–8:30 p.m.; 3rd Saturday of the month (drive-thru), 10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. feedinghandspantry.org ↗
• Mary, Mother of God Church: 157 South Triangle Rd., Hillsborough, NJ 08844 — (908) 874-8220 — has directed pantry donations to Feeding Hands; call to confirm current food-assistance referrals marymotherofgod.org ↗
• Hillsborough Township Social Services — Food Pantry Access: 379 South Branch Rd., Hillsborough, NJ 08844 — (908) 369-4313 — can connect residents to current local food-pantry options hillsboroughnj.gov ↗

Dial 2-1-1 (NJ 211) to confirm same-day food pantry hours near you and screen for SNAP and other benefits.

Elder Care: Caregiver assistance, local area on aging, etc.

Hillsborough's aging-services system runs through the Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services, the county's Aging & Disability Resource Center and single entry point for benefits counseling, in-home care referrals, and caregiver support.

Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services

• Address: 27 Warren St. (PO Box 3000), Somerville, NJ 08876
• Phone: (908) 704-6346, or toll-free 1-888-747-1122
• Email: OfficeAging@somersetcountynj.gov
• What it does: Ensures seniors 60+, adults with disabilities 18+, and their caregivers have easy access to information, long-term services, and supports somersetcountynj.gov ↗

Programs coordinated through the Office on Aging include:

• Information & Assistance, benefits screening, and comprehensive needs assessments
• Care coordination and service navigation
• Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC) Program — support for family caregivers
• Family caregiver education and respite-type services
• Telephone reassurance and Project Lifesaver for at-risk individuals
• Door-to-door transportation coordination (see Section 4)
• Personal assistance and service navigation programs

Other Elder Care Contacts

• NJ 211: Statewide referral line for benefits, housing, and general assistance — dial 2-1-1 nj211.org ↗
• Somerset County Adult Protective Services: (908) 526-8800 (Somerset County Board of Social Services, 73 East High St., Somerville, NJ 08876); call 911 for after-hours emergencies nj.gov ↗
• NJ Long-Term Care Ombudsman: Advocacy for residents of nursing homes and assisted-living facilities — ask the Office on Aging for a referral, or contact the state Ombudsman's office nj.gov/ooie ↗

Transportation: Senior transportation

Hillsborough Township runs its own senior transportation service, and Somerset County operates a countywide paratransit program for medical appointments, shopping, and more.

Hillsborough Township Senior Transportation

• Service: Door-to-door transportation for seniors without other transportation options, covering medical appointments, shopping, and wellness programs hillsboroughnj.gov ↗
• Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
• Contact: Hillsborough Senior Services — 379 South Branch Rd., Hillsborough, NJ 08844 — (908) 369-4313

Somerset County Paratransit Services

Countywide door-to-door transportation for seniors and adults with disabilities to medical appointments, employment, nutrition programs, and personal-service businesses (pharmacies, banks, salons, barbershops).

• Eligibility: Seniors 60+ and persons with disabilities 18+
• How to schedule: Call the Somerset County Division of Transportation at (908) 231-7116, or email TransportationDiv@co.somerset.nj.us somersetcountynj.gov ↗
• Text alerts: Text "RideSoCo" to 888777 for service updates
• SCOOT Shuttle: Somerset County also runs the SCOOT peak shuttle on select routes — ask the Transportation Division about current routes and schedules

Other Transportation Help

• Somerset County Office on Aging — Transportation Coordination: Ask about additional accessible ride referrals for eligible older adults — (908) 704-6346 somersetcountynj.gov ↗
• NJ Transit Access Link (ADA paratransit): For trips beyond Somerset County's service area, NJ Transit's statewide ADA paratransit may apply — ask the Office on Aging for a referral njtransit.com ↗
• Non-emergency medical transportation (Medicaid): If you have NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid, your managed care plan covers rides to medical appointments — call the member services number on your Medicaid card, or ask the Office on Aging for a referral

• Healthcare Assistance:
  • https://www.healthwellfoundation.org/
• Rx Assistance:
  • https://www.needymeds.org/
  • https://www.goodrx.com/insurance/medicare
  • https://costplusdrugs.com/
• Medicare Rx Assistance:
  • https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/#/pharmaceutical-assistance-program?lang=en&year=2023
  • https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/drug-costs
• Insulin Assistance:
  • https://insulinhelp.org/
• EyeCare America: eligible patients can receive a free eye exam plus a one year follow up for any condition diagnosed in the initial exam.
  • EyeCare America - American Academy of Ophthalmology (aao.org)
• National Institute of Health: provides information for several organizations that can assist with eye exams, eyeglasses, and eye-related prescriptions.
  • Get Free or Low-Cost Eye Care | National Eye Institute (nih.gov)
• National Ramp: provides information and resources for obtaining a ramp.
  • Ramp Resources | National Ramp Home Access
• Paying for Senior Care: provides information for state assistance programs for Durable Medical Equipment.
  • State Assistance Programs for Durable Medical Equipment (payingforseniorcare.com)

• Veterans Crisis Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 (Veterans- press 1)
• Adult Maltreatment Hotline: 800-482-8049
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
  • Hours: 24/7. Languages: English, Spanish, and 200+ through interpretation service
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration or SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
  • https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
• Crisis Services & Suicide Prevention: Dial 988
  • https://988lifeline.org/
• Find a therapist near you: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists?_gl=1*x3iy7y*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjw48TUBhBREiwAK0GnQZuO0hNamNqZlvJkmJHaXgRIPKNmtZCT3jHqxT85b1kkkoj9UyDHNRoC5AkQAvD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAAD_gfuxg6_pZY8xE_bJbsGAHGufk2

Housing: Rental assistance, home cleaning and repair assistance, utility assistance, etc.

Rental Assistance

• NJ DCA Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program: (609) 292-4080 — statewide rental assistance; Section 8 is administered by a number of municipal and county authorities, so ask which local waitlist currently applies to Hillsborough nj.gov/dca ↗
• 2026 income limits (Somerset County): Range from about $54,200 (1 person) to $102,200 (8-person household) — confirm current figures with DCA
• Hillsborough Township Social Services — Affordable Housing Assistance: 379 South Branch Rd., Hillsborough, NJ 08844 — (908) 369-4313 — can point residents to current local affordable-housing options hillsboroughnj.gov ↗
• Emergency rent help: Dial 2-1-1 (NJ 211) to screen for whichever local rental-assistance fund is currently accepting applications nj211.org ↗

Utility Assistance

LIHEAP and the Universal Service Fund (USF) help pay heating, cooling, and electric bills for income-eligible New Jersey households.

• NJ Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP/USF): Toll-free 1-800-510-3102 — apply online at dcaid.dca.nj.gov or submit a paper application to your local Community Action Agency nj.gov/dca ↗
• NJ 211 Utility Assistance Hotline: Screens for LIHEAP, USF, PSE&G's payment assistance programs, and other utility help — dial 2-1-1 nj211.org ↗
• PSE&G — Payment Assistance / Back on Track: Payment plans and hardship assistance for PSE&G customers pseg.com ↗

Home Repair & Weatherization

• NJ Comfort Partners: Free weatherization and energy-efficiency upgrades (insulation, air sealing, appliance replacement) for income-eligible utility customers — contact your electric or gas utility to apply firstenergycorp.com ↗
• Somerset County Handyman Program: Connects seniors with volunteer assistance for minor home repairs — contact Hillsborough Senior Services (908-369-4313) or the Somerset County Office on Aging (908-704-6346) for a referral
• Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity — Home Safety & Repair: (908) 704-0016 — tiered repair programs from free minor fixes ("Brush With Kindness") to cost-shared critical repairs (ramps, railings, furnace replacement); serves Somerset and Hunterdon Counties with income limits up to roughly $85,920 for a single person rvhabitat.org ↗

For any home-repair or weatherization referral, start with the Somerset County Office on Aging (908-704-6346) or Hillsborough Senior Services (908-369-4313) — they maintain the current list of active programs.

Enrichment: Senior centers, community activities, etc.

Hillsborough seniors have two complementary hubs for activities: the township's own Senior Activity Center and the Somerset County Senior Wellness Center, both located on South Branch Road.

Hillsborough Township Senior Activity Center

• Address / phone: 379 South Branch Rd., Hillsborough, NJ 08844 — (908) 369-4313 — Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. hillsboroughnj.gov ↗
• Eligibility: Residents 60 and older
• Exercise classes at three fitness levels; YMCA-partnered Enhanced Fitness Program (Mon/Wed/Fri)
• Line dancing — Rockettes and Rocket Dance Troupe, Tuesdays 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
• GetSetUp free online classes for mental, physical, and social engagement
• Two senior citizen social clubs — Chapter A (1st Thursday) and Chapter B (2nd Thursday) — socializing and trip planning
• Township transportation to programs, medical appointments, and shopping (see Section 4)

Somerset County Senior Wellness Center at Hillsborough

• Address / phone: 339 South Branch Rd., Hillsborough, NJ 08844 — (908) 369-8700 — Mon–Fri, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. somersetcountynj.gov ↗
• Eligibility: Residents 60+ and caregivers; proof of identification, age, and residency required to register
• Educational programs and health/wellness information in a social setting
• Daily lunch program (see Section 2) with free programming for registered members

Five other Somerset County Senior Wellness Centers operate in Basking Ridge, Bridgewater, Franklin (Quail Brook), Montgomery (Skillman), and Warren, all open to Somerset County residents.

Other Enrichment Options

• Somerset County Library System: Branches often host free classes, tech-help sessions, and book clubs open to seniors https://sclsnj.org/
• Faith communities across Hillsborough (including several of the pantry hosts in Section 2) often run their own senior fellowship groups and outings
• AARP New Jersey may offer additional classes or health/wellness programming for older adults — the Office on Aging can help with a referral

Quick-Reference Directory

Every organization in this guide, in one place — call the first number when in doubt, or tap the link to open the website.

This guide was compiled in September 2026 from public sources and organization websites. Programs, hours, funding, and eligibility rules change — please call ahead to confirm before a visit or application, especially for waitlisted programs like Section 8 housing and CSFP.